Credit: USFWS Cheat Mountain salamander

Q. What are the Refuge hours?

A. The Refuge is open everyday of the year from 1hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.

Q. What are the Visitor Center hours?

A. The winter visitor center hours are Wednesday - Saturday from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. During this time, the visitor center is closed Sunday - Tuesday.

In the summer, the visitor center is open weekdays from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm and weekends from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, volunteer and staff permitting.

Q. Does the Refuge charge an entrance fee?

A. No.

Q. What can I do at the Refuge?

A. The Refuge has thirty one miles of roads and trails to enjoy by walking, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. 23 miles are open for bicycle riding. 22 miles are open for horseback riding. We encourage wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation, hunting and fishing. Hunting requires a State license and a Refuge permit. Fishing requires a State license. Anglers must access the waterways from designated trails.

Q. How do I get a Refuge Hunting Permit?

A. The Refuge permit is free. Contact us to apply. We need your name, address and phone number to issue you a hunting permit. The permit may be mailed to you, or picked up at the Refuge office on Rt. 32 in Canaan Valley.

Q. How do I get to Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge?

A. The directions are as follows:

The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge headquarters is located on SR 32. 

From Davis, WV:  We are approximately 8 mi. S/E on the right.  Businesses close to us coming from Davis are Landis Realty, Mountain Top Realty, Big John’s Restaurant, and the Canaan Valley Store/Exxon. 

From Harman, WV: We are approximately 9 mi NW on the left.  After you pass the Canaan Valley State Park on the left, we are approximately 2 mi. N.  Other businesses you will pass are Tucker’s Restaurant, The Ski Barn, Canaan Valley Branch of Davis National Bank.  

From Charleston and Central West Virginia:
Take I-79 N to Rt. US 33 E at Weston. Follow 33 E to Harman, WV, then take 32 N to Canaan Valley. From Northern Virginia: Take I-66 W to I-81 S near Strasburg, VA. Follow I-81 S a short distance to the exit for Rt. 55 W. Stay on 55 W through Petersburg to Harman, WV. At Harman take Rt. 32 N to Canaan Valley.

From Northern Virginia:
Take I-66 W to I-81 N, then Rt. 50 W until it intersects with Rt. 93 W. Follow Rt. 93 W to Davis, WV, then take 32 S to Canaan Valley.

From Baltimore and Washington, DC:
Take Rt. 70 W to I-68 W at Hancock, MD. Follow Rt. 68 W to 220 S at Cumberland, MD, to Rt. 50 W at New Creek, WV, to junction of Rt. 93 W to Davis, WV, then Rt. 32 S to Canaan Valley.

Alternate Route From Baltimore and Washington, DC:
Same as above except stay on I-68 W past Cumberland, MD, to 219 S. Follow Rt. 219 S through Oakland, MD, to Thomas, WV. At Thomas, take Rt. 32 S to Canaan Valley.

From Pittsburgh, PA:
Take I-79 S to Morgantown, WV, then I-68 E to Rt. 42 S at Friendsville, MD. Follow Rt. 42 S to Rt. 219 S. Stay on 219 S through Oakland, MD, to Rt. 32 S at Thomas, WV. Take Rt. 32 S through Davis, WV, to Canaan Valley.

From Richmond, VA:
Take I-64 W to I-81 N at Staunton. Then I-81 N to Harrisonburg. Take Rt. 33 W to Harman, WV, then Rt. 32 N to Canaan Valley.

From Roanoke, VA:
Take I-81 to Harrisonburg, then take Rt. 33 W to Harman, WV. At Harman, take Rt. 32 N to Canaan Valley.

From Columbus, OH:
Take I-70 E to I-79 S. Stay on I-79 S to Morgantown, WV. At Morgantown, follow I-68 E to Rt. 42 S, Friendsville, MD. Follow to Rt. 219 S through Oakland, MD, to Thomas, WV. At Thomas, take Rt. 32 S to Canaan Valley.

Q. Where are the closest accommodations, local restaurants, local attractions and camping sites?

A. For local information about accommodations, restaurants, camping and area attracations check out the Tucker County Convention and Visitor's Bureau at www.canaanvalley.org.